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St. Louis Cardinals: 10 Most Valuable Draft Picks Since the Turn of the Century

By Patrick Karraker

May 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) is greeted after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter (13) is greeted after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Motte St. Louis Cardinals
Aug 1, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jason Motte (30) throws to a Milwaukee Brewers batter during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Brewers defeated the Cardinals 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jason Motte, Round 19, 2003

Cardinals career (2008-14): 311 games, 54 saves, 3.03 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 4.3 rWAR, 2011 World Series Champion (and recorded final out in Game 7)

Jason Motte is one of the better draft success stories in Cardinals history, as he was drafted as a catcher but converted to pitching in 2006, as he and the organization determined that his strong arm might make him more valuable on the mound than it would as a position player, as his bat was likely going to prevent him from advancing as a catcher.

Motte’s run of dominant success in a Cardinals uniform wasn’t exceptionally long, but it was quite fruitful. Over a three-year period from 2010-12, Motte had a 2.43 ERA while averaging 67 appearances per season. After earning the closer role near the end of 2011, he closed off Game 7 of the World Series, and he followed up that success in 2012 by recording 42 saves, which tied him for the National League lead with Craig Kimbrel.

Unfortunately, Motte missed the entire 2013 season and underwent Tommy John surgery in May. He returned in 2014 without his former effectiveness, and he was allowed to walk as a free agent. With that said, there are just a select few Cardinals closers who have been lucky enough to lead the league in saves or finish off a World Series victory, so Motte can safely be considered one of the better draft finds in franchise history.

Next: 4. Trevor Rosenthal

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